Vitiligo

my sister was diagnosed with vitiligo 25 years ago and it has never progressed any futher. She used a topical treatment to the skin (?) that was popular at that time. I hope you have a good out come-good luck!

Madeline
Thank you for your feed back.

My doc used a combination of dicaris and local ointments complimented with minerals. It arrested the spread and in few areas re pigmentation happened.

Regarding treatments for onset of vitiligo: what are the best, tried and true, or brand new? Thank you. I need some help bad. Even as an established patient, there are no dermatologists appointments to be had until March maybe and more probably May of NEXT YEAR!!!

@lorrainechavez, I just now came upon your question about vitiligo as I was scrolling thru discussions. I am sorry that it has taken me this long to reply.
I have vitiligo on my skin - patches of nonpigmented skin that do not tan. Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition. It occurs when your immune system attacks the pigment cells in your skin. I wear sunscreen and avoid over exposure to sun. The areas, to my understanding are more susceptible to skin cancer.
The areas of my depigmentation developed slowly over many years. The skin has the same texture as my pigmented skin, and it is not raised, nor does it itch or flake. Just a very light colored patches scattered here and there.
Vitiligo Is a cosmetic condition. However since it is an autoimmune condition, it can be a hint for the doctor of other possible autoimmune conditions.
I have no medical background except for my own experience. I am willing to share what I know if you have any questions.
Rosemary

Hi! I have Vitiligo. I got it when I was 32 after I gave birth to my 8 year old. I do have autoimmmune in the family as my grandma has alopecia and my mom has thyroid and psoriasis. I have small spots in different areas of my body that have slowly been spreading. I have done a ton of research and tried lots of things. I have been doing the Autoimmune Paleo diet for 3 years. My spots did stop spreading when I started it for about 2 years, but they have started spreading again. I do laser on the spots at the dermatologist and also have a home unit. I am into essential oils so I found that using Bergamot oil on the spots and then doing laser has worked for some people. It did not work for me, but there were two other people at my dermatologist office that saw results after using the Bergamot that did not have results before. I also do accupuncture. In general, the laser and Protopic ointment is what I have used on a regular basis and I try all of the other things as well. I do organic spray tan to cover the spots sometime and try to stay out of the sun. Dermablend cosmetics is great for covering spots as well. There has been studies that the arthritis drug has been shown to repigment skin for vitiligo, but it is not approved for vitiligo so it is expensive and has a lot of side effects. I was told at my last appt. that they are trying to get the drug approved for viitligo so it would be a safer topical treatment. I hope this comes soon!

@sarahjeanbrush, Good Morning, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I am happy that you have joined Connect! Thank you for joining this discussion with this helpful information. We are a patient support network an we share and support and encourage each other by sharing our experiences.

I am in agreement that Dermablend cosmetics are a good product for coverage. I used to use it regularly. My vitiligo seemed to come in spurts with time intervals between it spreading. I did not take any treatment for it. My hair began to show signs with premature greying at an early age. And, like you I learned to avoid the sun because those areas burned so quickly. Unfortunately, I grew up at a time when tanning and sun exposure was a sign of being healthy. Now, though, my vitiligo has gone almost completely away due to prednisone that I was taking long term after my transplant. Now I am off the prednisone, and I guess time will tell if it comes back.

I hope continue to get results that are satisfactory to you.
Rosemary

I need your help!
I have Vitiligo. Vitiligo is a disease that causes loss of skin and hair color. I have had patches of vitiligo discoloration for many years. I received an organ transplant in 2009, and was prescribed prednisone which I took for aprox 5 years. During that time my vitiligo began to disappear as the coloration returned to the skin on my face, hands, legs.

Now, after being off prednisone for a number of years, the vitiligo is returning to my legs and hands. I asked my dermatologist recently about using tacrolimus ointment, which I read is sometimes effective to treat vitiligo. Since I'm already taking tacrolimus orally as an antirejection medication, he has prescribed a cream for me to try. It is Clobetasol Propionate Cream.

Has anyone used Clobetasol Propionate Cream for treatment of Vitiligo? Is it working for you? How long was it until you saw results?